Nice to see a relevant answer. Though I'd point out that the variable isn't working like that because i'm not using strict, it's working that way because I didn't call the variable correctly - part of what I'm learning at the moment.

(Additional emphasis added by me.)

I personally believe that funnily enough, had you not the kind of attitude you're exhibiting all over this thread, perhaps you could realize that if you had used strict then it would have been impossible for you to call the variable incorrectly. (Up to a fatal error.) Thus you would have saved this thread and the people reading it a considerable amount of noise, thus reducing the noise/signal ratio, thus helping people to help you and increasing the chances of getting a prompt answer to your question.